Cosmetic holder



Nov. 2, 1965 v. slLsoN ETAL GOSMETIC HOLDER 3 sheets-sheet 1v Filed Dec. 26, 1961 bwN lmrllru Lm Nov. 2, 1965 v. slLsoN ETAL COSMETIC HOLDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26, 1961 NOV- 2, 1965 v. slLsoN ETAL COSMETIC HOLDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 26. 1961 United States Patent O 3,215,264 COSMETIC HOLDER Victor Silson and Anthony Schepis, both of New York, N.Y., assignors to Helena Rubinstein, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 161,808 7 Claims. (Cl. 206-56) This invention relates to a cosmetic holder having means to move a stick of cosmetic material into an advanced position in which an end thereof is exposed for application and means to retract the stick of cosmetic material into a protected position within the holder.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cosmetic holder for a stick of solid cosmetic which will discourage the user from advancing a stick of cosmetic material to such an extent that there is danger of breakage of the stick during normal use of the holder.

It is a further object of the invention to allow the user rapidly to retract a stick of cosmetic material into the body of the holder after the use of the cosmetic stick is completed.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a cosmetic holder which permits the use of thin sticks of relatively weak cosmetic material without danger of breakage of the stick.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description below read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side view in cross section of the assembled holder;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view in cross section of a portion of the holder viewed in the direction of arrows 2, 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse cross section on line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse cross section on line 4-4 of FIG. l;

FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c are developed views of portions of a push-button mechanism in three successive positions; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the parts of the holder.

Lip rouge is most often sold in the form of cylindrical sticks of a waxy consistency. Because of the delicacy of the sticks and the staining quality of the lip rouge it is usual to supply such sticks in metal holders which protect them and guard the ngers of the user. Means are usually provided to protrude one end of the stick from the holder to allow application of the cosmetic to the lips.

Lip rouge in small diameter sticks is more easily and accurately applied than such rouge in sticks of greater cross section. However, because of the weakness of the material the risk of breakage of small diameter sticks is great when used in ordinary holders. The inconvenience of breakage during use is obvious. In the present invention a holder is supplied which will support the stick close to the outer end thereof in order to minimize the bending stress in the stick during use. Means are also supplied for advancing the stick from the holder in small increments in response to repeated operation of a push button. By this construction the user is discouraged from advancing the stick from the holder farther than is necessary for the efficient application of the lip rouge. In order that the stick may be quickly retracted into the holder after use, a rotatable collar is provided which may be turned relative to the rest of the holder in one continuous motion. Ratchet means are provided to prevent the user from turning the collar in the reverse direction and thereby advancing the stick.

The holder illustrated is constructed to allow the replacement of an old stick with a new one when the former is worn out.

As shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 6, the holder comprises a socket 10 bearing a guide pin 11. An end of stick 12 of lip rouge is embedded in the socket. The socket is surrounded by inner barrel 13 and is longitudinally slideable therein. A longitudinally extending slot 14 in the inner barrel receives guide pin 11, and prevents rotation of socket 10 relative to inner barrel 13. End 15 of the inner barrel is formed with an axial opening 16 therein of hexagonal cross section.

The inner barrel is located within outer barrel 17 and is rotatable relative to the outer barrel. A helical channel 18 in the outer barrel receives the guide pin 11 and constrains the holder 10 to rotate relative to the outer barrel when it is moved axially thereof. Relative rotation of the inner barrel 13 and the outer barrel 17 thus serves to move the holder along the axes of the barrels. A collar 19 encircles and is rigidly secured to outer barrel 17. The collar bears rim 20 and cylindrical surface 21.

The inner and outer barrels are enclosed in a protective shell comprised of a rst outer casing 22a and a second outer casing 22. The former is comprised of irst casing segment 23, second casing segment 24, and third casing segment 25. These casing segments are united by screw threads 26, 27, 28 and 29. Screw threads 26 are cut on bushing 26a which is screwed into the end of the first casing segment 23. This connection may be made permanent by means of a force t or any other means which will prevent ready removal of the bushing. When in place the bushing retains collar 19 within the iirst casing segment.

While outer barrel 17 is of cylindrical shape the inner end thereof is slit at 30 (see FIG. 6) to form a tangential leaf spring 31. The tangential leaf spring 31 cooperates with axially extending grooves 32 cut into the inner surface 33 of bushing 26a. The resulting ratchet-like structure allows unlimited relative rotation of the outer barrel 17 and the rst outer casing 22a in one allowed direction but prevents such rotation in the opposite direction. The allowed direction of rotation is such that if the inner barrel 13 and the rst outer casing remain xed with respect to each other while the outer barrel 17 is rotated in the allowed direction the guide pin 11 will be retracted toward the inner end 15 of the inner barrel. Rotation of outer barrel 17 in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 3 s prevented by the engagement of outer end 34 of tangential leaf spring 31 with radial wall 35 of groove 32. Rotation of outer barrel 17 in a counterclockwise direction (as indicated by the arrow) remains possible, the tangential leaf spring simply flexing inward as the barrel revolves. The pressure of the leaf spring against inner surface 33 sets up a frictional resistance to turning of the outer barrel in this direction, however.

Slidably located within axial opening 16 is shaft 36, hexagonal in cross section, which rotates with the inner barrel 13. Shaft 36 is part of rotary member 37 having four upstanding, longitudinally extending ridges 38 equally spaced about its perimeter. Rotary member 37 is encircled at its mid-point by collar 39. The rotary member is located partly within second casing 24 and partly within third casing 25. The second casing is provided with an apertured partition 40 through which shaft 36 extends and which serves Ias an anchor for one end of coil spring 41. The other end of the coil spring bears against collar 39 and forces the rotary member 37 to the left, as seen in FIG. 1, and downward as seen in FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c.

The end surface 42 of each ridge 38 is inclined at about a 45 angle to the axis of the rotary member. The end of the rotary member having ridges 38 is Slidably enclosed within a tubular liner 43 having large diameter segment 44 coaxially joined to a small diameter segment 45. The tubular liner is force-fitted within the third casing segment 25. At two diametrically opposed points around the periphery of the small diameter segment are located indentations which form inwardly extending rotation keys 46. The rotation keys prevent rotation of the rotary member 37 when said rotary member is in the position of FIGS. 1, 5a, and 5c, since in this position the rotation keys lie in the grooves between the ridges 38. By moving the rotary member to the right in FIG. 1, toward the inner barrel 13, the ridges 38 may be cleared from rotation keys 46and the rotary member may be rotated relative to the tubular liner 43. Each rotation key is formed with a sloping face 46a facing the rotary member (see FIG. 5a.). Longitudinally spaced from each rotation key is an alignment key 4,7, also formed by indentation of the surface of the tubular liner 43.

Third casing segment 25 is provided with an aperture 48 and al shoulder 4 9. which receive push button 50. Collar 51 on thepush button abuts shoulder 49 and limits the outward motion of the push button through the aperture. The inner end ofthe push button is slidably located within the small diameter segment 45l of tubular liner 43. Push button coil spring 51a forces the pushbutton into the eX- tended position of FIGS. l, 5a and 5c. Surfaces 52 on the push button define a groove which receives alignment key 47, insuring that no relative rotation occurs between the push button and the tubular liner 43. Lifting eX- tensions 53 project from the push button toward the rotary member and carry slant surfaces 54. on their outer ends.

The second outer casing 22 is provided with support surface 55 which defmesa front opening of slightly larger cross sectional diameter than the diameter of the cosmetic stick 12. When the holder is notv in use the front opening is closed by cap56. The cap slips 4over neck 57 on the second outer casing 22, making a frictional it therewith.

It is intended that the holder be repeatedly refilled when the original cosmetic stick is exhausted. This may be accomplished by unscrewing the` first and second casing segments'at screw threads 26 and sliding the inner barrel out of the outer barrel. A replacement stick 12 in a new socket may then be inserted in place of the old one. Lead-in surfaces 58 dene a lead-in groove connected to the helical channel in the outer barrel. The lead-in groove serves to direct the guide pin into the helical chanel when a new socket is first inserted into the inner barrel.

The user, after. removing cap. 56, may advance the cosmetic stick in, small increments by reciprocating push button 50. In the embodiment illustrated each reciprocation advances the stick a distance slightly greater than half the diameter of the stick. Three stages in the reciprocation process are shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c. These views show portions Iof rotary member 37 and push button 50 as well as rotation keys 46 and alinement keys 47. In order to clarify the operation the surfaces ofthe rotary member and the push button have been developed in thesevi'ews' from the actual roughly cylindrical shape to a fiat shape. Four ridges 38 on rotary member 37 have been numbered l-4 in order toidentify them in each view.

As shown inFIG'. 5a the push button is in its outermost position, the position it normally assumes under the urging of push button coil spring 51a. In the outermost position slant surfaces 54. on the push button engage end surfaces 42'on the rotary member 37. These surfaces are urged. into contact by coil spring 41, which tends to force rotary member 37. toward the push button (in a downward direction as seen in FIG. 5a). In this position rotation of the rotary member 3'7. is blockedl by engagement of the ridges 38 with rotation keys 46 (see FIG. 4). As the push buttonis depressed rotary member 37 is forced to move with it (upward in FIG. 5a) until the ridges which are in contact with rotation keys 46 are clear of these rotation keys. In FIG. 5a the ridges marked 2 and 4 are in such contact. When the ridges clear the rotation keys rotary motion of the rotary member 37 results, the end surfaces 42 of ridges 2 and 4 sliding off slant surfaces 54 onto sloping faces 46a. Although these sloping faces are also inclined, the end surfaces 42 of ridges 2 and 4 do not slide on them while the push button is fully depressed, since contact of ridges 1 and 3 with the push button prevents such further rotation (see FIG. 5b). When the push button is released, it returns to the extended position of FIGS. l and 5c. As the return process begins the parts are in the position of FIG. 5b. No movement of rotary member 3'7 occurs until the push button has moved far enough so that it momentarily loses contact with the ridges l and 3 of the rotary member. When such loss of contact occurs the rotary member is no longer locked against further rotation, and such rotation occurs as end surfaces 42 of ridges 2 and 4 slide olf sloping faces 46a of rotation keys 46. After this second rotational step the parts come to rest in the position of FIG. 5c, with contact between the ridges l and 3 and the rotation keys 46 preventing further rotation.

During rotation the `shaft 36 simultaneously slides within axial opening 16 in the inner barrel and rotates, turning the inner barrel. If the outer barrel 17 remains fixed relative to the first outer casing 22a, the rotary motion of the shaft will propel the socket 10 toward the front opening of second outer casing 22. Fixity of the outer barrel is a result of the frictional resistance to turning caused by the pressure of tangential leaf spring 31 against first casing segment 23. Since turning of the, rotary member 37 results from the action of coil spring 41 forcing the rotary member downward as seen in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c, the device illustrated cannot be injured by forcible depression of the push button after the guide pin has reached the forward end of the helical channel. Such continued operation of the push button will only result in aXial reciprocation of rotary member 37, without rotation thereof.

When the stick of cosmetic is sufficiently advanced so that the tip is protruded through the front opening the support surfaces 55Y surround the stick and support it against breakage. The outer end of second outer casing 22 is so formed that it projects beyond the ends of the inner and outer barrels. The projecting end portion is comprised of a firstend segment 58 having an interior surface which tapers down in the direction of advance of the stick and a second end segment bearing support surfaces S5 faired into said tapering interior surface. As the stick advances the tape-red interior surface guides iti.l end between the support surfaces 55 without shaving oif any of the waxy cosmetic material. The push button advance mechanism allows controlled advance of the cosmetic stick in small increments. It tends to prevent the user from advancing the stick farther than is necessary for efficient use, 'since each increment of advance requires a separate act of pushing the push button. This contrasts with the usual lip rouge holder construction in which a single twist of the outer casing may easily advance the stick too far.

While it is desirable to limit the ease with which the cosmetic stick may be advanced in onder to prevent over-extension of the stick, there is no reason to make the return of the stick into the holder aV slow process. Therefore, the holder illustrated is adapted for quick return of the cosmetic stick. By rotating the second outer casing 22 relative to the 'first outer casing 22a the outer barrel is rotated relative to the inner barrel and the socket and stick are retracted. In the embodiment illustrated retraction occurs when the second outer casing is turned in a counterclockwise direction relative to the rst outer casing as seen in FIG. 3. Since relative rotation of the secondv outer casing clockwise with respect to the first outer casing is prevented by tangential leaf spring 31, the user cannot advance the cosmetic stick by such rotation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cosmetic holder adapted to advance a stick' of cosmetic material into an advanced position in which an end portion of the stick is protruded and exposed for application and adaptedto retract the stick of cosmetic material into a retracted position in which the end portion of the stick is surrounded and protected by the holder body, a combination comprising rst means for moving the stick from the retracted to the advanced position in increments in response to repeated depression of an operating button, each depression resulting in the advance of the stick for a single increment, second means for moving the stick from the advanced position to the retracted position in response to relative rotary motion of two coaxial casings, and third means for preventing the movement of the stick from the retracted to the advanced position by relative rotary motion of the two coaxial casings.

2. The holder of claim 1, wherein each increment is equal to approximately half the diameter of the cosmetic stick.

3. In a cosmetic holder adapted to advance a stick of cosmetic material into an advanced position in which an end portion of the stick is protruded and exposed for application and adapted to retract the stick of cosmetic material into a retracted position in which Ithe end portion of the stick is surrounded and protected by the holder body, the combination comprising:

(a) an inner barrel adapted to surround and guide a socket carrying the stick of cosmetic material for longitudinal reciprocation of the socket in the inner barrel;

(b) guide surfaces on the inner barrel defining a longitudinal slot therein adapted to receive a guide pin projecting from the socket and thereby to prevent rotation of the socket relative to the inner barrel;

(c) an outer barrel surrounding the inner barrel and rotatable relative thereto;

(d) guide surfaces on the outer barrel defining a helical channel adapted to receive the guide pin and thereby to constrain the socket to rotate relative to the outer barrel when the socket is moved longitudinally of the outer barrel, relative rotation of the inner and outer barrels forcing the guide pin to travel longitudinally of the inner barrel;

(e) a iirst outer casing;

(f) a push button projecting from the first outer casing and reciprocable with respect thereto through a reciprocation cycle;

(g) conversion means for converting each movement of the push button through a reciprocation cycle into rotary motion of the inner barrel relative to the first outer casing through a rotation cycle;

(h) a second outer casing coaxially located with respect to the first outer casing, rotatable relative to the first outer casing, and connected to the outer barrel for rotation therewith, the first and second outer casings comprising a protective shell for the iirst and second barrels and the conversion means;

(i) support surfaces on the protective shell defining a front opening axially alined with the inner barrel, the support surfaces being adapted to clasp and support a stick of cosmetic material protruding through the front opening; and

(j) blocking means operable irrespective of the position of a socket in the inner barrel for limiting rotation of the outer barrel with respect to the first outer casing in a direction to advance the socket toward the front opening when the inner barrel is held stationary with respect to the first outer casing whereby a user of the holder is prevented from advancing a socket in the inner barrel by rotating the first outer casing relative to the second outer casing.

4. The holder of claim 3 comprising:

(k) lead-in surfaces on the outer barrel defining a leadin groove, said groove extending substantially longitudinally of the outer barrel from one end thereof and connecting with the helical channel and said groove adapted to guide the pin into the helical channel when a socket is moved longitudinally into the end of the outer barrel.

5. In a cosmetic holder adapted to advance a stick of cosmetic material into an advanced position in which an end portion of the stick is protruded and exposed for application and adapted to retract the stick of cosmetic material into a retracted position in which the end portion of the stick is surrounded and protected by the holder body, a combination comprising:

(a) an inner barrel adapted to surround and guide a socket carrying the stick of cosmetic material while allowing longitudinal movement of the socket in the inner barrel;

(b) an outer barrel surrounding the inner barrel and rotatable relative thereto;

(c) guide surfaces on one of said barrels defining a longitudinal slot therein adapted to receive a guide pin projecting from the socket and thereby to prevent rotation of the socket relative to said barrel;

(d) guide surfaces on the other of said barrels defining a helical channel adapted to receive the guide pin and thereby to constrain the socket to rotate relative to said other barrel when the holder is moved longitudinally of the other barrel, relative rotation of the inner and outer barrels being adapted to force the guide pin to travel longitudinally of the barrels;

(e) a first outer casing;

(f) a second outer casing secured to one of the barrels and rotatable therewith, said second outer casing being rotatable relative to the other barrel, said `second outer casing being located coaxially with respect to the first outer casing, and said second outer casing being rotatable relative to the first outer casing;

(g) support surfaces on the second outer casing deiining a front opening axially alined with the inner barrel, the support surfaces being adapted to surround and support a stick of cosmetic material protruding through the front opening;

(h) a push button mounted coaxially with the inner and outer barrels protruding from the first outer casing and reciprocable with respect to the first outer casing through a reciprocation cycle;

(i) conversion means for converting the reciprocating motion of the push button during a reciprocation cycle into rotary motion through a rotation cycle of the barrel which is rotatable relative to the second outer casing, said rotary motion through a rotation cycle being rotation relative to the rst outer casing and being rotation in a direction which forces the guide pin toward the front opening when the first and second outer casings are held immovable with respect to each other;

(j) means operable irrespective of the position of a guide pin in the inner barrel for preventing the guide pin from being advanced toward the front opening upon relative rotation of the first and second outer casings; and

(k) means for locking together the first outer casing and the barrel which is rotatable relative to the second outer casing during a retraction operation in which the first and second casings are rotated relative to each other and in which such relative rotation moves the guide pin away from the front opening.

6. The holder of claim 5 wherein the rotary motion through a rotation cycle is rotation through an angle suflicient to advance the guide pin a distance less than the maximum length of the cosmetic stick which may be protruded through the front opening without danger of breakage during normal application of the cosmetic.

7. In a cosmetic holder adapted to advance a stick of cosmetic material into an advanced position in which an end portion of the stick is protruded and exposed for application and adapted to retract the stick of cosmetic material into a retracted position in which the end portion of the stick is surrounded and protected by the holder body, a combination comprising rst means for moving the stick from the retracted to the advanced position in increments in response to repeated depression of an operating button, each depression resulting in the advance of the stick for a single increment, second means for moving the stick from the advanced position to the retracted position in response to relative rotary motion of two coaxial casings, and third means for preventing the cosmetic stick from being advanced as a result of relative rotary motion of the two coaxial casings, the third means comprising a ratchet-like structure preventing relative rotation of the coaxial casing in a direction which advances 15 the stick while allowing relative rotation in a direction which retracts the stick.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 301,056 6/84 Haring 120-18 1,664,166 3/28 Furedy. 2,383,726 8/45 Leshin 20656 3,062,190 11/62 Averso 120--18 10 3,072,102 1/63 rohmann.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, GEORGE O. RALSTON,

Examiners. 

1. IN A COSMETIC HOLDER ADAPTED TO ADVANCE A STICK OF COSMETIC MATERIAL INTO AN ADVANCED POSITION IN WHICH AN END PORTION OF THE STICK IS PROTRUDED AND EXPOSED FOR APPLICATION AND ADAPTED TO RETRACT THE STOCK OF COSMETIC MATERIAL INTO A RETRACTED POSITION IN WHICH THE END PORTION OF THE STICK IS SURROUNDED AND PROTECTED BY THE HOLDER BODY, A COMBINATION COMPRISING FIRST MEANS FOR MOVING THE STICK FROM THE RETRACTED TO THE ADVANCED POSITION IN INCREMENTS IN RESPONSE TO REPEATED DEPRESSION OF AN OPERATING BUTTON, EACH DEPRESSION RESULTING IN THE ADVANCE OF THE STOCK FOR A SINGLE INCREMENT, SECOND MEANS FOR MOVING THE STICK FROM THE ADVANCED POSITION TO THE RETRACTED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO RELATIVE ROTARY MOTION OF TWO COAXIAL CASINGS, AND THIRD MEANS FOR PREVENTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE STICK FROM THE RETRACTED TO THE ADVANCED POSITION BY RELATIVE ROTARY MOTION OF THE TWO COAXIAL CASINGS. 